590 Mr. C. F. Belcher oa Birds 



proaches close enough for thorough examination through 

 tlie glasses ; and flying, as it does, close to the water, is 

 frequently hidden in the trough of the great waves. Another 

 was seen oa Oct. 28 (No. 2) ; this time I could see the white 

 helly as well as the rump. T^vo more were noted on Oct. 2D ; 

 they were very swallow-like in their movements, skimming 

 the waves; these were the last I saw. 



Pelagodroma marina. White-faced Storm-Petrel. 



On Oct. 28 (No. 2), when off Pitt Island (Chathams), I 

 observed a few Petrels, which^ from their very erratic and 

 swallow-like flight, I made out to be of this species. They 

 were dark grey above, white below and much darker on the 

 back, and smaller than the Prions ; they have the habit of 

 flicking the water with their wings and feet, which Prions 

 have not. The Prions appear stouter, and have a bolder and 

 more regular flight. 



Reinholdia reinholdi. Brown-backed Petrel. 



On Oct. 24 I noted a single specimen of this bird. 



Neonectris tenuirostris. Short-tailed Petrel. 



Oct. 23^ a few seen. Oct. 26, one in the distance. Oct. 27 

 (passing through Cook Strait), numerous at some distance 

 behind the ship ; also many hundreds were seen to starboard. 

 After leaving New Zealand waters they were not noticed. 



Priofimis cinereus. Brown Petrel. 



First noticed at 9 a.m. on Oct. 27, flying at about two 

 hundred yards behind the ship. This was before entering 

 Cook Strait. Oct. 28 (No. 2) (approaching Chatham 

 Islands): two following. Oct. 29^ at least a dozen together, 

 nearer the ship^s stern than the previous ones. The tail 

 appears in flight bluntly wedge-shaped. Oct. 30, about 

 twelve following. Oct. 31, about forty following at 8 a.m. 

 Nov. 1, about twelve. Nov. 2, about twelve. Nov. ?>, about 

 twenty. Nov. 4, rather more than yesterday. Nov. 5, about 

 the same as yesterday. Nov. 6, there are now at least a 

 hundred following and flying about the ship. Nov. 7 , rather 

 fewer. Nov. 8, about the same as yesterday. Nov. 9, only 



